I own a 94 325is and I am converting the aerodynamics and interior to M3...Than I would like to swap an engine from an e36 M3, or E46 M3...please let me know which would be a better choice and what I would need to change in order to have that engine running

thinair

07-12-2003, 05:41 PM

You will have better luck getting an e36 m3 engine to fit.

From what I know, you need at least the engine, ECU, wiring harness, and you can't go wrong swapping the tranny to the ZF (from the M3) too.

MP328

07-12-2003, 05:46 PM

since ur car is a 94 it's an OBD I so u wanna find an engine from an 96 and lower M3 which is a 3.0L and also OBD I .

a 3.2 L from 96+ and up is a OBD II and might be more expensive to install since u have to convert to OBD II . and the S54 from an E46 M3 is gonna cost u even more if even possible to install.

M3_MadBimmer

07-12-2003, 05:48 PM

I wouldnt need to change the drive-shaft or nething?...I've seen engines for sale that incuded the tranny, ecu, and wireing harness...If i got one of those, I can just swap the engines?

Soldo

07-12-2003, 05:58 PM

PRETTY MUCH!
If you were however to keep the stock DIFF. you would not be AS QUICK as a real M3, however, you would be faster in the top end!

M3_MadBimmer

07-12-2003, 06:03 PM

So is it worth swaping the engines or just upgrade my surrent one...?

app

07-12-2003, 08:54 PM

Originally posted by MP328
a 3.2 L from 96+ and up is a OBD II and might be more expensive to install since u have to convert to OBD II .

Is this is true, why do people always do the OBD I conversion for like the e30's and stuff?

Jon@Bimmersport

07-12-2003, 09:05 PM

if u can find 95 M3 intake manifold and some other stuff..go for M52B32 (3.2L M3 motor)

TiemenT

07-12-2003, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by thinair
You will have better luck getting an e36 m3 engine to fit.

From what I know, you need at least the engine, ECU, wiring harness, and you can't go wrong swapping the tranny to the ZF (from the M3) too.

yeah he's right, try to get an E36 (sounds simple:P )

M3_MadBimmer

07-13-2003, 08:50 PM

How many horsepower does the stock 3.0L m3, and 3.2L m3 and the e46 m3 have?

thinair

07-14-2003, 12:04 AM

Originally posted by M3_MadBimmer
How many horsepower does the stock 3.0L m3, and 3.2L m3 and the e46 m3 have?

240, 240, and 333

M3_MadBimmer

07-14-2003, 12:39 AM

anyone have any cool bmw websites with parts tips and everything else

greekthang

07-14-2003, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by M3_MadBimmer
I own a 94 325is and I am converting the aerodynamics and interior to M3...Than I would like to swap an engine from an e36 M3, or E46 M3...please let me know which would be a better choice and what I would need to change in order to have that engine running

Listen up pal. I am in the process of doing a engine swap. A E46 M3 motor will no fit in your car. Much more cost efficient to work with an M motor then upgrading your own. No worries in OBD II cause you can convert a 96 and up motor to OBD I. Different intake plenum, throttle body intake tube and computer is good for +25hp.

///MsAniTy

07-14-2003, 01:42 PM

hey you guys also have to consider how much u will be able to sell yr cars after your done with them so it might be more cost efficient to just buy a actual ///M3

greekthang

07-14-2003, 02:38 PM

Originally posted by ///MsAniTy
hey you guys also have to consider how much u will be able to sell yr cars after your done with them so it might be more cost efficient to just buy a actual ///M3

You have to get a motor with really really low kilometere pal or I agree doing an engine swap wouldn't be worth it.

///MsAniTy

07-14-2003, 02:51 PM

but lets say worst comes to worst and your car gets stolen and you didnt insure your new m motor you will only get the amount of moeny u paid for the car not the motor

greekthang

07-14-2003, 03:18 PM

Originally posted by ///MsAniTy
but lets say worst comes to worst and your car gets stolen and you didnt insure your new m motor you will only get the amount of moeny u paid for the car not the motor

Very true but I would think you would insure it though. Smart thing to do

M3_MadBimmer

07-14-2003, 06:38 PM

Do you think converting the 325is body to an M3 look will boost the price, because thats what i am in the process of doing...

greekthang

07-14-2003, 07:10 PM

Originally posted by M3_MadBimmer
Do you think converting the 325is body to an M3 look will boost the price, because thats what i am in the process of doing...

What do you mean boost the price. If you paln on selling it then why invest the money:eek:

M3_MadBimmer

07-14-2003, 08:24 PM

I am just wondering if it would...do u think it would?

Jon@Bimmersport

07-15-2003, 01:14 AM

i jus noticed u got a 325is..thats the same engine as 3.0L M3..except the M3 had .5more displacement and some other things (cams etc) you can just turbo or supercharge your motor and get the same hp for maybe who knows, maybe less money?

greekthang

07-15-2003, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by E46_lover
i jus noticed u got a 325is..thats the same engine as 3.0L M3..except the M3 had .5more displacement and some other things (cams etc) you can just turbo or supercharge your motor and get the same hp for maybe who knows, maybe less money?

To get a blower or turbo will run you about 10 g's installed and you can only run about 7.5 to 8.5lbs or boost safely without changing any internals (i.e. compression etc...). You do an engine swap and your looking at the same cost roughly installed and in is not force induction. Then later on you can add a blower or turbo if you like.

what would i need to change in it to make it fit and work on my 94 325is?...

it's an 99 so it's a 3.2l OBD II . it will fit ur car without problems but u have to convert the thing to OBD I which will cost u some more money. and is btw illegal (to go from OBD II back to OBD I ) but not many people care

Soldo

07-15-2003, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by MP328
it's an 99 so it's a 3.2l OBD II . it will fit ur car without problems but u have to convert the thing to OBD I which will cost u some more money. and is btw illegal (to go from OBD II back to OBD I ) but not many people care Thanks for clearing that up, i've always wondered that, and it makes perfect sense cause OBD II was installed to help with emmisions, so by going back to one, you'd fuk up emissions, correct?!

M3_MadBimmer

07-15-2003, 11:02 PM

Around how much do you think an OBD II to OBD I conversion would cost?

NickP

07-15-2003, 11:22 PM

Originally posted by MP328
it's an 99 so it's a 3.2l OBD II . it will fit ur car without problems but u have to convert the thing to OBD I which will cost u some more money. and is btw illegal (to go from OBD II back to OBD I ) but not many people care

Its not illegal since its going into an OBD I car... it would be illegal to retrofit OBD I into a car that came from the factory with OBD II.

M3_MadBimmer

07-16-2003, 01:08 AM

MAN i dont care if it is legal or not!!!!....how much would it be?!

MP328

07-16-2003, 03:30 AM

greekthang should answer that one. i have no idea. he's planning on doing the same thing to his car.

Jon@Bimmersport

07-16-2003, 04:15 AM

Originally posted by greekthang
To get a blower or turbo will run you about 10 g's installed and you can only run about 7.5 to 8.5lbs or boost safely without changing any internals (i.e. compression etc...). You do an engine swap and your looking at the same cost roughly installed and in is not force induction. Then later on you can add a blower or turbo if you like.

mine is running to like 3g max..and it isnt a tiny snail...its gonna help me push some serious power

greekthang

07-16-2003, 01:25 PM

Originally posted by M3_MadBimmer
MAN i dont care if it is legal or not!!!!....how much would it be?!

Keep in mind that the part will be of a 325 and will be used but there will run you about $1500 - $2000 installed and that includes: intake plenum, injectors, throttle body and computer.

Adriano

07-17-2003, 01:42 AM

Originally posted by SOLDOMATIC 325i
PRETTY MUCH!
If you were however to keep the stock DIFF. you would not be AS QUICK as a real M3, however, you would be faster in the top end!

Is this correct?? I thaught that the 318 and 325 had a higher gear ratio therefore quicker acceleration then the M3 diff.:confused: Can someone please post gear ratios for the 318, 325, 328 and M3 manual and auto so I can straighten this out.

By the way, engine swap is very easy. Keep it OBD1 M3. You can do the swap yourself if you have any mechanical ability in about 2 weekends.

MP328

07-17-2003, 02:22 AM

all the M3's came with 3:xx differentials. 3.15 3.23 3.38 dont ask me for years. and i know my 328 has 2.93 (stick) dont know about the other ones.

M3_MadBimmer

07-17-2003, 02:45 AM

Why is there need to convert OBD II to OBD I?...will it not fit in bimmers lower than 96??...is it illegal to have an OBD II on OBD I car?

M3_MadBimmer

07-17-2003, 02:46 AM

Where can I buy OEM M3 sport sideskirtrs?....please list the websites....and is anyone interensted in buying OEM M3 luxury sideskirts...if so please e~mail me for pics at acegronski@attbi.com

MP328

07-17-2003, 10:28 PM

Originally posted by M3_MadBimmer
Why is there need to convert OBD II to OBD I?...will it not fit in bimmers lower than 96??...is it illegal to have an OBD II on OBD I car?

the engine will fit without problems in any E36, but OBD II wont run in cars lower then 96, unless it's converted to OBD I

thinair

07-17-2003, 10:54 PM

Originally posted by Adriano
Is this correct?? I thaught that the 318 and 325 had a higher gear ratio therefore quicker acceleration then the M3 diff.:confused: Can someone please post gear ratios for the 318, 325, 328 and M3 manual and auto so I can straighten this out.

Originally posted by M3_MadBimmer
the lower the gear ratio the better?

depends what u are aiming for!

the one u have in right now is the perfect compromiss between accelaration and top speed. when u change the diff u loose in one of those places. it's up to you to decide what is more important to you.

the lower the number it is, the slower the accelaration but higher top speed

the higher the number it is, the faster the car accelarates but the top speed is lower for that reason.

with my 2.93 my car should (theoretically) do 250km/h top speed. change it to the 3.23 or any higher diff. and the car will accelarate faster but top speed will be just around 200km/h or lower depending on the diff ratio.

Adriano

07-18-2003, 11:35 AM

Thank you thinair and MP328 for clearing that up. Looks like I am going to keep my 318 diff for a while untill I break it. Why do you have two ratios for 97+ ?

moregothanshow

07-18-2003, 09:27 PM

one is auto and one is manual....3.23 is manual, and 3.38 is auto...

Jon@Bimmersport

07-18-2003, 10:53 PM

Originally posted by M3_MadBimmer
the lower the gear ratio the better?

M3 engine is a waste on your car! just get the 3.0L bottom end from a 95 M3 shortblock..you'll have yourself the 3.0L displacement plus with half the cost..you can always switch cams and such later!

thinair

07-18-2003, 10:58 PM

Originally posted by Adriano
Thank you thinair and MP328 for clearing that up. Looks like I am going to keep my 318 diff for a while untill I break it. Why do you have two ratios for 97+ ?

the first is 5-speed and the second is auto.

M3_MadBimmer

07-19-2003, 04:05 AM

the thing is my car has 159,000 miles on it...i know it cal pull of much more....so i think i am gonna drive this car for bout 2 years and get an 98 or 99 M3, and maybe later get a supercharger on the bitch

M3_MadBimmer

07-20-2003, 12:23 AM

Please share you favorite BMW webites with me, so i can check out some cool stuff

Sickbimmer

07-22-2003, 12:27 AM

I'll sell you mine next year......For the right price*th-up*

M3_MadBimmer

07-22-2003, 05:28 PM

I just got an OEM M3 front bumper and need to buy moldings for it...where can i buy them for a decent price?...thnx